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阅读理解
Cairo, the cradle of civilization(文明的摇篮)，is the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations．It is the largest city in the Middle East and lies at the center of all routes leading to and from the three continents：Asia, Africa and Europe．It is the city where past and present meet．On its south side lies the Ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, and the site of the Pyramids, the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World．Indeed, a journey through Cairo is a journey through time．In spite of a thousand years of history, Cairo is young by Egyptian standards, because modern Cairo appeared only with the Arab conquest(征服)of Egypt．
The most famous of Cairo's sights is the string of 60 pyramids that stretches along the western border of the desert．Contrary to(和……相反)the common belief, only the Great Pyramid of Khufu, not all three Great Pyramids, is on the list of Wonders．The monument was built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around the year 2560 BC to serve as a tomb when he died．When it was built, the Great Pyramid was 145.75 meters high．Over the years, it has lost 10 meters off its top．It was the tallest building on earth for more than 43 centuries．Throughout their history, the pyramids have inspired human imagination．When Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798, his pride was expressed through his famous words：“Soldiers!From the top of these Pyramids, 40 centuries are looking at us．”
Cairo has been the most important arts center in the Islamic world for a thousand years．Cairo's long history and rich heritage are displayed in its many museums．The famous sights in this area are the Entomological Society Museum, with an excellent collection of Egyptian insects and birds．Also in the area is the museum housing the mysterious Sun Boat, only discovered in 1954 near the south side of the pyramid．The boat is believed to have been used to carry the body of Khufu in his last journey on earth before being buried inside the pyramid．
This is Cairo－radiant with a long and glorious past; showing people the achievements of a wonderful present．
This is Cairo－a cradle of civilization, a source of culture, and a meeting-place of the Asian, African, and European Worlds．
This is Cairo－an international center for social economics, and political activity, which is making the noblest efforts, aimed at peace among all nations and the benefits of all mankind．
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